Takaichi Policies on the Right Track vs Law-breaking Foreigners

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The Takaichi administration has begun work on policies dealing with foreigners living in or visiting Japan. The issue has been set as one of the administration's top priorities.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke on the issue at the first meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers. She pointed out that the public is disconcerted by the illegal activities and rule violations engaged in by some foreigners, believing it is unfair for them not to abide by the rules.

She added, "While we draw a line at xenophobia, the government will respond resolutely."

In addition, Takaichi instructed government officials to strictly enforce the screening of the residence status of foreigners in Japan. She also asked that officials take steps to grasp the actual state of real estate ownership by foreigners. The basic policy for handling foreigners is due to be finalized by January 2026.

Kimi Onoda Leading the Response

The Prime Minister's concern is appropriate. These are serious issues that impact Japan's national identity and require a unified government response.

Several government agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), and the National Police Agency, are directly involved. Up to now, these agencies have been plagued by the negative effects of a silo mentality. To overcome that problem, Prime Minister Takaichi created a new Cabinet position. Kimi Onoda is the new minister tasked with creating a society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals. Hopefully, she will play a leading role in formulating appropriate policies.

*Kimi Onoda, Minister of State in charge of Economic Security, Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, and other issues. (©Sankei by Hayato Narita)*

Problems involving foreigners ー including criminal and nuisance behavior, abuse of the social security system, and overtourism (tourist pollution) ー are more apparent by the day.

These problems became a major issue in July's Upper House election. As a result, the Sanseito party, which strongly demanded solutions to this issue, made great strides. Obviously, dispelling the sense of unease and unfairness prevalent among the public has become an urgent priority.

Commendably, at the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Takaichi issued the instruction to strongly promote the "Zero Illegal Residents Plan." These steps will also allow foreigners who follow the rules to live in Japan with peace of mind.

There will also be consideration of a new system to ascertain nationality when registering the transfer of real estate. Likewise, the identity of the real acquiring parties should be clarified when notifications are submitted for forest land acquisition.

*Chinese financed land purchases have been identified in numerous places, such as this one near a Self-Defense Force radar facility in Hokkaido. (©Sankei)*

Problems to Address

Pointedly, speculative real estate acquisitions by Chinese nationals and Chinese capital have also become a problem. These must be managed to avoid a situation where Japanese give up on buying condominiums due to abnormal price increases. With national security in mind, opaque parties using foreign capital must also be prevented from purchasing land around Self-Defense Force installations and other critical facilities.

The MHLW plans to implement measures to prevent foreigners from failing to pay their national health insurance premiums. The government envisions a system in cooperation with the Immigration Services Agency in which delinquent foreigners, in principle, are not allowed to change or renew their residence status.

Currently, foreigners comprise 3% of Japan's total population. That figure is projected to rise to 10% in the future. Nonetheless, should it actually reach that level, Japanese society could well descend into chaos.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai included quantitative management of foreign residents in their coalition agreement. This is an extremely important point, and the ruling coalition should immediately begin considering quantitative restrictions on immigrants.